Hybrid working

Majority of UK employees unable to take sick days

More than half (52%) of UK full-time employees did not take a single sick day in the 12 months since February 2021.

The pandemic's long-term impact on inequality

The unprecedented stop-start to life caused by Covid-19 has had a huge impact on workforces, particularly among diverse communities according to research by McKinsey, and it might be many more years...

Apple’s mandatory and phased return to office under scrutiny

Apple employees have been told they must return to the office – starting with at least one office day per week, rising to a minimum of three over the next few months.

Flexible work stigma still an obstacle in UK

Data released by Business in the Community (BITC), has revealed that even after two years of remote working, employees are still fearful of asking about flexible working when applying for a job.

Should HR professionals go remote-only?

Interest in remote HR jobs has shot up over the past two years. But can the people function work as effectively outside the office?

Is some office time needed to equip the future workforce?

What do you miss out on when you don’t go to school, university, or the office? When schools shut down twice in 2020, it prompted much debate about the long-term impact on children of not having...

The four day week: getting productivity right

The four-day working week has once again fuelled public debate with more than 30 UK companies are to take part in a trial to reduce working hours, without impact productivity. But productivity is...

Plan B lifted: what difficulties lie ahead?

Plan B measures in England, including work from home guidance, will end on 27 January. But with so many false starts already, and the uncertainty of COVID still looming, what difficulties will HR face...

Flexible working tribunal claims rise sharply

The number of employment tribunal decisions relating to flexible working have leapt by 52% in the past year.

Managers should encourage exercise breaks at work, researchers say

Managers should encourage desk workers to be more active by planning two minute exercise breaks into the work day, University of Essex researchers have found.

Low earners prefer working from home, but suffer financially for it

Research has indicated for the first time that low-paid workers benefit overwhelmingly from working at home, yet companies could do more to support them.

Watch on demand: HR trends for 2022 and beyond

Panelists on Tuesday’s (7 December) HR Lunchtime Debate discussed the trends they expect to dominate HR’s agenda in 2022.